Tyler
RANK #645 / 996 NAT · #32 / 69 TX · POP 234,667
1YR FORECAST: -0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +20%
Known as the "Rose Capital of America," Smith County, Texas, is home to Tyler, a city celebrated for its extensive rose gardens and the annual Texas Rose Festival. Located in East Texas, approximately 90 miles east of Dallas/Fort Worth, the county offers a blend of natural beauty and community living. Residents have access to outdoor recreation at places like Tyler State Park, which features a spring-fed lake for boating and fishing, along with miles of hiking and biking trails through pine forests. The county's feel is often described as welcoming, with a strong sense of community. Commute times average around 23 minutes.
Life in Smith County is characterized by a mix of families and young professionals, with a notable emphasis on community engagement. The economy is largely driven by the healthcare sector, which is the largest employer in Tyler, with major systems like UT Health East Texas and CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System providing numerous jobs and contributing significantly to the local economy. The county also has a history rooted in the oil and gas industry and rose production, which continues to be a distinctive local industry. Public schools in Smith County are highly rated, with several districts serving the area, including Lindale, UT Tyler University Academy, and Whitehouse.
Above national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.6x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 35/100, Smith County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $69,053 combined with job growth of +1.1% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Smith County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $201,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.34, with rents averaging $1,129/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Smith County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.4% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.1% clip. Home values shifted -1.3% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.85% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Smith County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.